Coby MP-C885 1 GB Flash MP3 Player with FM Tuner and Direct USB Drive (Black) by Coby
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List Price: Category: Network Media Player See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Coby MP-C885 1 GB Flash MP3 Player with FM Tuner and Direct USB Drive (Black)
Digital camera Review: Slick, small and infinitely capable
Summary: 5 Stars
Allow me to explain my experience with this style of MP3 players:
Mac Vision MA833A 128 MB MP3 Player
This was my first MP3 player, the Macvision 256mb. Slick, black and small, this simple little device lasted me three whole years and would still be alive and kicking if I hadn't dropped it off of my rooftop one too many times. A remarkable piece of technology, it simply played MP3's, easily and without fuss. The transfer system was simple and easy to navigate, and the player worked through rain, snow, being stepped upon and drowned in water.
After that finally gave up the ghost, and believe me it took a looong time, I picked up this:Nextar MA933A-B 128 MB Digital MP3 Player (Blue)
The Nextar 512mb 'blue'
This was not up to par with its predecessor, despite being of the same design, just manufactured by a different company, this device was inferior in many ways.
Nextar re-designed the device's program and tranfer capability, forcing you to use Windows Media to sync your files, and they would appear in no particular order, and you had no control over where they ended up in relation to the other files. This MP3 player was definitely not as sturdy as the original, it broke within two weeks after I pressed the play button a tad bit harder than it was apparently made for.
So, frustrated, I bought this:
COBY MP3 Player with 256 MB Flash Memory & USB Drive
Coby had finally gotten the patents to this design, so I hoped things would improve. This little device was certainly a bit hardier than its predecessor, and it survived for some time, but its program was just as frustrating as the last one, once again forcing you to sync with Windows Media and randomizing your files on you. The glass screen was very fragile and broke within the first month I owned it, making it difficult to see the text.
So, finally after putting up with it for a while, I succumbed to trying out yet another of these devices.
I bought this, the Coby C885 1GB MP3 player.
Hallelujah!
This device not only stronger and more durable than the nextar or earlier coby model, also allowed you to return its program to the original Macvision style, allowing me to finally order my files the way I wanted! I have had this now for about three weeks, and it has served me well. The buttons take a little while to adjust to, but after you do, its smooth sailing. Its as if I have my old Macvision back, with an upgrade in style and funcion!
If you're looking for something sleek and simple, without paying out the big bucks go for this!
Digital camera Review: Software is unreliable for 5 star unit = 2 stars
Summary: 2 Stars
Having used a simple COBY 512GB for a few days and found that with good Sony earphones it was very satisfactory with good bass (the sound is VERY changeable according to the headphones used according to my testing) I plunged for this COBY 1GB at J and R and it seemed an excellent upgrade at $34, against $20 for the 512GB at some ultra cheap place on Broadway near Wall Street.
Unfortunately the 1GB has screwed me up syncing music albums from my PC (Windows Media 11). Hasving been loaded with 500 GB of music like the 512GB COBY I then synced a number of Nat King Cole albums onto it until it was full.
Sad to report the item cannot play past Song 96 ie including only a limited number of the 12 Cole CDs added. Previously it played 106 or more like the 512MB. Now it has simply forgotten most of the latest ones by Nat King Cole I added.
Not good. There has been no damage to the player to account for this. Its software is simply unreliable. Unless the COBY support guy (very nice young guy I got through to quite easily the first time I asked him about some command puzzle) can tell me any different I shall not send it in for repair at $6 but return it to J and R and not buy another.
This is a great pity. COBY should get their software to be reliable. The FM tuner is excellent and the sound is A1. The record commands are too poorly designed for me to try that out properly yet, but I suspect that is high quality too (tiny mike holes and good pick up of sound are familiar to me from a Toshiba camera which records sound only), so it is sad if they can't get their software straight. $6? I suspect that is what it costs simply to replace the item. They expect a certain number of failures I guess.
If my experience is not very rare or unique this is a shame. This level of quality with simplicity is very attractive, Alas.
UPDATE: OK I am sorry to say I took it back to j and R and bought a Trekstor 2GB with SD Card slot for $15 more. Very glad I did. The COBY lost its Menu function as well in the last day. The Trekstor iBeat Extension is a class above the COBY so far - 2 GB instead of 1GB, SD Card slot, and the mike and voice recording very good. The FM seems good too. Two problems though. The Mike hole is tiny and on the side so it does not record the person opposite you very well unless aimed intentionally at them. And, the FM seem not to be able to distinguish between 89.9 and 90.0 MHz, though perhaps I will find out how to correct this.
The TrekStor is German and made in China and the texture of the surface and the appearance in well above the Coby, except for two rather tinny looking metal controls. The earphones are excellent, where the COBY phones were tinny.
Digital camera Review: Unreliable
Summary: 1 Stars
First couple of days I was pleased with this player and the ability to be a thumb drive. But then it stopped playing entire songs and when downloaded to it would "lose" half of the book I wanted to listen to. I have since returned this item and purchased a Sansa an love it.Digital camera Review: Userfriendly
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this as a Christmas gift for my husband. He loves it, it is easy to use and doesn't have a lot of cords, it plugs right into the computer. So far he has found nothing to dislike about it.Digital camera Review: Very useful
Summary: 5 Stars
This was a very cheap product (cheap in price). Quality was great. I use it all the time. I switch from mp3 to radio a lot when I get bored listening to my own playlist. I was very surprised how many features it really had. Overall good experience. Delivery was ok for me.